Author: Todd Gilbert

Australian company AMSL Aero has successfully completed the first free flight of its hydrogen-electric Vertiia vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) passenger vehicle. The remotely controlled test flight, which took place in the Central West region of New South Wales, was powered by the vehicle’s battery. The company plans to begin hydrogen-fueled flight testing of the Vertiia in 2025. The Vertiia, designed to carry four passengers and a pilot, has a range of 620 miles and a cruising speed of 185 mph. Its hybrid design allows it to take off vertically like a helicopter and then transition to fixed-wing flight for…

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have unveiled a low-cost cathode material for lithium-ion batteries that could significantly reduce costs for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems. The material, iron chloride (FeCl3), is said to cost only one to two percent of conventional cathode materials while delivering comparable efficiency. “For a long time, people have been looking for a lower-cost, more sustainable alternative to existing cathode materials. I think we’ve got one,” said Hailong Chen, associate professor at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Materials Science and Engineering. “Our cathode can be…

De Lijn, the Flemish public transport operator, has placed an order for 32 electric articulated E-Way buses from Iveco as part of its transition to a fully emission-free fleet by 2035. This order, valued at approximately €24 million, marks the latest step in a framework agreement signed in early 2023, which envisions the delivery of up to 500 electric buses by the end of the decade. The newly ordered vehicles are expected to arrive in Flanders around late 2025 or early 2026. To date, De Lijn has ordered 109 electric buses under this framework, with the first units scheduled for…

Xiaomi’s third electric vehicle (EV), codenamed N3, has been spotted in China, and it is expected to rival high-end range-extended SUVs such as Huawei’s Aito M9 and Li Auto’s L9. The crossover, which was seen heavily camouflaged in recent spy shots, is slated for release in 2026, according to leaked product plans. The N3 features a distinctive design with a high bonnet line, sleek A-pillars, and a flat roofline, which is indicative of its larger size. The vehicle’s rear end appears spacious enough to accommodate third-row seats, and it is equipped with five-spoke rims and small side-view mirrors. Notably, the…

YMX Logistics and Orange EV have announced a partnership to deploy 20 electric terminal trucks at various distribution and manufacturing sites across North America. This collaboration aims to promote sustainable yard operations while enhancing operational efficiency for clients, with a strong focus on reducing emissions and cutting costs. The partnership combines YMX’s expertise in yard logistics and process optimization with Orange EV’s electric terminal trucks to improve productivity and environmental impact across sectors such as manufacturing, distribution centers, warehouses, and intermodal facilities. The introduction of electric trucks into yard operations is seen as a critical step in advancing the logistics…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio is set to enter Azerbaijan, marking its continued efforts to expand into international markets beyond Europe. Co-founder and President Qin Lihong announced the plan during a visit to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where he met with local partners and inspected the site of the first Nio House in the country. “We already have a partner in Azerbaijan for vehicle sales and services, and I’m coming over to meet and sign with it,” Qin stated in a WeChat video, adding that he is optimistic about the brand’s prospects in the region. Azerbaijan’s strategic position…

A new survey conducted by vehicle history check specialist HPI reveals that 22% of road users in the United Kingdom would trust a driverless car and feel comfortable traveling in one, a figure that outpaces a similar U.S. poll conducted earlier this year, where only 9% of American drivers expressed trust in autonomous vehicles (AVs). The survey, which involved over 2,000 adults, highlights notable differences in attitudes toward autonomous transport based on factors like gender, age, and location. Men were found to be more trusting than women, with 28% of male respondents willing to use a driverless car, compared to…

China has reached a significant milestone in its electric vehicle sector, with its year-to-date new energy vehicle (NEV) production surpassing 10 million units for the first time, according to a report by state broadcaster CCTV, citing the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). This achievement makes China the first country in the world to reach an annual NEV production of 10 million units. The milestone marks a dramatic rise from 2013, when just 18,000 NEVs were produced in the country in the first year that production and sales were officially tracked. By 2018, production had reached one million units annually,…

Arriva has announced plans to expand its zero-emission bus fleet in London with the addition of 109 electric vehicles at its Thornton Heath depot, set to begin operations in spring 2025. To support the transition to an all-electric fleet, Arriva has completed the installation of the required charging infrastructure, including a new electricity substation and approximately 5 kilometers of underground cabling to accommodate the increased demand from charging multiple buses simultaneously. This marks the third bus depot in London to be electrified by Arriva, following the company’s earlier efforts to modernize its fleet. The bus operator, which currently operates around…

National charging network Be.EV has launched a new ultra-rapid EV charging hub in Sheffield, marking a significant addition to the city’s electric vehicle infrastructure. Located at the Parkway Central Retail Park, the new site features nine Kempower chargers capable of delivering up to 150kW of power. Positioned on a key trunk road between Sheffield city centre and the M1 motorway, the hub is strategically placed to serve the estimated 66,000 vehicles passing the site daily, just three miles from the city centre. This installation represents a phased approach, with the infrastructure designed to accommodate a total of 20 charging bays…

Public transport operator Stagecoach has received 64 new all-electric buses that will be deployed in Coventry, marking a significant step towards the city’s goal of having the UK’s first fully electric bus fleet by 2025. The fleet includes 31 double-decker buses from Alexander Dennis and 33 single-deckers from Yutong. These buses will join the 130 Enviro400EV models from Alexander Dennis already in service in the city, expanding Coventry’s growing electric bus network. The new buses will begin service in the spring once the necessary charging infrastructure is installed at depots. Stagecoach has invested over £33 million in these 64 buses…

Li Auto reported delivering 51,443 vehicles in October, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 27.26%, though down 4.22% from September’s figures. By the end of October 2024, the company reached a milestone with over 1,026,619 cumulative deliveries, including 393,255 vehicles delivered in 2024 alone. Driven by solid demand across its model range, Li Auto has maintained the top position in the Chinese NEV market for vehicles priced above RMB 200,000, holding the lead for seven consecutive months. In October, the company marked another significant achievement by becoming the first Chinese premium automotive brand to surpass one million cumulative deliveries. Additionally, on…

Fleet services provider DKV Mobility has expanded its electric vehicle charging network by integrating over 1,500 fast-charging stations from UK-based Gridserve. This partnership extends DKV Mobility’s roaming network across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, connecting customers to Gridserve’s ‘Electric Highway’ with charging points capable of up to 360 kW output. Gridserve’s Electric Highway includes chargers located along major UK motorways, busy retail hubs, and dedicated Electric Forecourts, offering up to 350 kW at many sites—enough for a 160-kilometer range boost in under 10 minutes. Gridserve’s plan to add a network for electric lorries aligns with DKV Mobility’s vision, supporting…

Daimler Truck is set to launch series production of the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 in November, with a major component known as the “front box” now in production at its Mannheim engine plant. Positioned in the former engine space, the front box comprises over 1,000 parts and integrates key control units, high-voltage systems, and an electric air compressor essential to the eActros 600’s functionality, though it does not directly power the vehicle. Built on a layered structure to accommodate the numerous components, the front box is the result of a dedicated team at Mannheim, which Daimler Truck plans to expand from…

Tesla is set to make another bold move in the automotive industry with its proposal for the Low-Voltage Connector Standard (LVCS), aimed at standardizing car connectivity within its 48-volt electronics architecture, currently utilized in the Cybertruck. This initiative follows the successful rollout of Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), which has gained traction among major automakers, including Ford and General Motors. In a brief blog post, Tesla highlighted the advantages of its 48-volt architecture, describing it as “the optimal long-term choice, requiring only a quarter of the current to deliver the same amount of power.” The architecture is designed to…

Finnish battery chemical producer Terrafame announced on Tuesday that it has begun negotiations with employees to reduce costs, which may include job cuts and reduced working hours, as a result of a global slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand. Factors such as limited charging infrastructure and concerns over EV resale values have led to a deceleration in EV sales, impacting demand for battery chemicals. Terrafame noted that prices for battery chemicals have fallen, mirroring declines in metals like nickel and cobalt, which are essential to battery production. The company, which employed 826 people as of September, projects that the cost-saving…

Powering America’s Commercial Transportation (PACT) and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate charging infrastructure deployment for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (MHDVs). The partnership will focus on ensuring grid readiness and establishing best practices for affordable and efficient infrastructure expansion, supporting the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy and aligning with federal and state zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) goals. PACT and EEI plan to advance grid readiness across regions, enabling manufacturers and fleet operators to meet regulatory requirements for ZEVs. This collaboration will prioritize efficient energization, accurate demand estimation, and streamlined processes to reduce…

LG Business Solutions USA announced it has opened orders for its first U.S.-assembled DC fast charger, a stand-type model equipped with a Power Bank that can provide up to 175 kW of charging power. The new Level 3 charger, designated as the LG EVD175SK-PN, is being built at LG’s Fort Worth, Texas facility. The unit features a high-resolution 24-inch LCD touchscreen, an 18-foot liquid-cooled CCS/NACS charging cable, and dynamic load management capabilities. The charger also allows over-the-air updates and supports multiple payment options. Certified to UL 2594, the new charger is part of LG’s effort to expand its footprint in…

Hyundai is gearing up to launch its first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) in China next year, as competition intensifies with the rise of low-cost EVs. Despite a significant increase in electric vehicle sales—1.29 million new energy vehicles were sold in September, marking a 42% year-over-year rise—many legacy automakers are struggling to maintain their market presence. Hyundai’s share of the Chinese market has dropped to 1.2%, and the automaker’s sales have declined since 2017. In response, Hyundai has established the Hyundai Motor China Advanced Tech and R&D Center in Shanghai, aimed at developing a dedicated EV designed specifically for Chinese consumers.…

The United States has reached a significant milestone in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, surpassing 200,000 public EV charging ports nationwide. This achievement was announced by the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, highlighting the growing momentum in expanding EV charging facilities. In its Q3 2024 update released on August 30, the Joint Office reported an increase of approximately 9,000 charging ports over the preceding three months, bringing the total to nearly 192,000 public EV charging ports. The latest announcement indicates a further increase of about 9,000 ports within just seven weeks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44Clb8A_brk Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration,…